After hearing so much about the Good Samaritan Hospital from my three daughters (La Romana vets: Erin 2007, 2008; Michelle 2011, 2012; Katherine 2012, 2013) I finally had the opportunity to see it and spend two days working with the construction team.
They put us to work right away hauling cement up to the third floor the old fashioned way - by pulley. Here are Peter, Hannah, and Chris P. doing most of the work. Upstairs Ronny and Chris B. receive the load and stack it.
One of the first things I had to learn was that this construction project operated in a very different manner compared to an American construction project. Authority on the job site is very decentralized and work seems (to a Type A Americano like me) to proceed in a haphazard manner. I've learned that this style is due in part to the non-Type A Domincan culture and in part to the availability of materials. If a load of tiles arrives, you lay tile -- even if it might be better to wait until more of the heavy inside work is finished. All I had to do was walk downstairs to the first and second floor to see a thriving urban hospital to realize that everything on the 3rd floor will come together eventually.
Here's Hannah, Ronny, and a regular worker mixing the cement by hand.
Jed, Chris P., and Peter work the jackhammer to make way for electrical work.
I am very grateful to all the regular Good Samaritan workers who were so patient with me as I learned how to install studs to frame a room. Below, I am working with Jean Baptiste to get the stud perfectly upright before we fasten it in place. And Chris B. and Peter work together to join a vertical and horizontal piece.
It's also been very gratifying to work with all the members of the mission team from the U.S. -- such inspiring dedication!
All in all, it's been a great two days on the construction team. Today I'm off to a batay for the first time.
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